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Alright fellas, it's come time to upgrade the [brutal] component speakers in my wagon! I'm getting tired of not being able to hear my music with the windows down

I did read through some of the stickies and any threads that I was able to dig up, but a lot of the available information is significantly outdated. So post up your current component set-ups, offer opinions, advice, etc... My knowledge with audio systems is limited, so any help is appreciated!

I like the Focal 165 VB Polyglass components right meow, but it won't be hard to influence me otherwise. Looking to spend around $250 for front components at this point, rears will ensure shortly thereafter.

I have the Alpine Type-R's. I love them since they never get drowned out by bass. They can be pushed pretty hard in terms of midbass and high's. I think that they're the best "bang for the buck" components. I like them more than the Polk's and Infiniti's, but music listening is highly subjective.

Overall:
Highs: Very Crisp
Mids: Lovely
Lows: I'm not entirely sure as I have a subwoofer to cover that.

Thanks for the replies, menghs. I had a Type-R sub in my S4 and liked the quality and sound. Honestly though, I'm not looking for something that's going to give me loud music. I'm looking for components that will give me superior sound quality, almost like a premium sound system from the factory... but better

The Kappa Perfect series from what I heard give you very good range of responses. The tweeters are very clear and loud. I'm excited to get it installed once my car is here. I'm moving from an 03 Acura TL with Bose premium system so I know for sure I won't like the OEM audio stuff haha.

How do you like the Seas Lotus stuff? I've been trying to find some references but a lot of their products are hard to find. Even when you do, the prices are

Quote:

Originally Posted by luan87us

The Kappa Perfect series from what I heard give you very good range of responses. The tweeters are very clear and loud. I'm excited to get it installed once my car is here. I'm moving from an 03 Acura TL with Bose premium system so I know for sure I won't like the OEM audio stuff haha.

In all honesty I've heard the Infinity Kappy Perfect components a few times (couple of my buddies have them) and I wasn't all that impressed. My one friend is an audio freak and he's told me there were better options for the money, so I think I'd like to go a different route.

How do you like the Seas Lotus stuff? I've been trying to find some references but a lot of their products are hard to find. Even when you do, the prices are

In all honesty I've heard the Infinity Kappy Perfect components a few times (couple of my buddies have them) and I wasn't all that impressed. My one friend is an audio freak and he's told me there were better options for the money, so I think I'd like to go a different route.

Thanks for all the feedback thus far. Still open to options!

There's probably better options for the price they cost lol. Infinity/JBL are well known for overpricing their products as most brand name manufacturers do. I got a VERY good deals on them ($67/pair instead of $300) because my mother works for Harman Kardon which is the company that makes INfinity/JBL so I went with infinity stuff for my upgrade.

There's probably better options for the price they cost lol. Infinity/JBL are well known for overpricing their products as most brand name manufacturers do. I got a VERY good deals on them ($67/pair instead of $300) because my mother works for Harman Kardon which is the company that makes INfinity/JBL so I went with infinity stuff for my upgrade.

Haha I I don't blame you then, I would have done the same thing... Let me know if there's any possibility that you can helpabrothaout

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illuminator

I went with focal also. I got the focal is165 in the front doors and focal ic165 in the rear + focal p 30 as my subwoofer. Sounds 500+% better than stock.

This is what I was looking for! Everyone that I've talked to said that Focal is the way to go. That's really the direction I'm leaning at this point, good to hear that the people that have them like them significantly better than stock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunz4me

JL Audio C5-650

I like that set because the tweeter went in the stock pod with minimal fuss.

Those JL components look like the're pretty nice quality, unfortunately I'm looking to keep this portion sub-$250 though if I'm doing front and rear components, headunit, amp, sub, plus wiring and any other odds and ends that might come up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRKNESS

For my Subaru I swap between two sets, Pioneer Stage4 components and Zapco ESB components.

Never heard of Zapco, but I've heard that Pioneer car audio components aren't quite as nice as they're home systems. I'd have to hear them to make a decision, though. I was really just looking to see if there was one set of components that were substantially better than all the others at this price point. I realize that there are a bunch of companies that make quality stuff, just trying to make an educated consumer decision.

Can't go wrong with Focal. Diamond, Rainbow, and Morel are also worth a listen, as are most others mentioned here. You really need to listen to them in person to know whether or not you like them. Are you currently running an amp?

I would hook a NASIOC brotha up but unfortunately you are very far away from me lol.

Haha shoot me a PM, man, maybe we can figure something out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle Anderson

Can't go wrong with Focal. Diamond, Rainbow, and Morel are also worth a listen, as are most others mentioned here. You really need to listen to them in person to know whether or not you like them. Are you currently running an amp?

I was also considering a set of the Rainbows. But you're right, I do need to listen to a few different ones to get a good diea of what sounds good to me and what doesn't. I've heard the Focals a few times before and also recently listened to a set of JL C5's yesterday... Those things are awesome

Thanks for the advice, guys. What about rears? I'm thinking that I want to get some coaxials for the rears at the very least, just to "fill the rest of the car out." What are y'all using in that regard?

I don't currently have them installed but I have always like diamond audio for highs. They are fair priced and sound really good. I have also had good experiences with the higher up lines of Rockford Fosgate, granted I have been out of the audio game a few years but I always liked those two brands. I have been running the same sub amp setup for over 10 years and I still sounds great. Rockford HE2 12" with a Rockford 360a2 2 channel amp.

I was also considering a set of the Rainbows. But you're right, I do need to listen to a few different ones to get a good diea of what sounds good to me and what doesn't. I've heard the Focals a few times before and also recently listened to a set of JL C5's yesterday... Those things are awesome

Thanks for the advice, guys. What about rears? I'm thinking that I want to get some coaxials for the rears at the very least, just to "fill the rest of the car out." What are y'all using in that regard?

I would love to try and help you out man but I really don't want to go throug the hassle of shipping them out. They're huge lol.

For the rear I was going to get Coaxials but Infinity has a new 3 ways full-range set that give more responses range than most coaxial on the market can so I went with it.

I don't currently have them installed but I have always like diamond audio for highs. They are fair priced and sound really good. I have also had good experiences with the higher up lines of Rockford Fosgate, granted I have been out of the audio game a few years but I always liked those two brands. I have been running the same sub amp setup for over 10 years and I still sounds great. Rockford HE2 12" with a Rockford 360a2 2 channel amp.

Never heard any Diamond audio components but I have heard good things about them. Seems like they're comparable to Focal and Rainbow. I'll have to look into them. I've never been a huge Rockford Fosgate guy, just think most of they're stuff is of cheaper quality and targets the more "budget-minded" market, if you will. Nothing wrong with them, just not exactly what I'm looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by luan87us

I would love to try and help you out man but I really don't want to go throug the hassle of shipping them out. They're huge lol.

For the rear I was going to get Coaxials but Infinity has a new 3 ways full-range set that give more responses range than most coaxial on the market can so I went with it.

Alright no problem, thanks anyway dude. I'll look into those. Sounds like I'm going to do the JL Audio C5's sometime after Christmas so if I can, I'll probably see if I can find the comparable JL coaxials for the rears. Thanks for all the responses, gentlemen!

Never heard any Diamond audio components but I have heard good things about them. Seems like they're comparable to Focal and Rainbow. I'll have to look into them. I've never been a huge Rockford Fosgate guy, just think most of they're stuff is of cheaper quality and targets the more "budget-minded" market, if you will. Nothing wrong with them, just not exactly what I'm looking for

I don't think RF is the same as it was 10+ years ago. Still good but not as good.

I don't think RF is the same as it was 10+ years ago. Still good but not as good.

I agree. Like I said it isn't like they make bad quality products, they just aren't regarded as making comparable products to some of your higher end brands like JL. Nothing wrong with them at all, just not exactly what I'm looking for at this point.

Ugh dont listen to the Infinity Kappa 6.1 talk, they are garbage. I got mine for the same price through my employer.. they are now bookshelf speakers in my room. Hes recommending a product he doesn't have yet.

There is NO bass, far far less than the stock speakers and the treble is harsh. This is both off stock radio, upgraded HU, and also tried with the infinity kappa five channel amp.

Junk..

This is the best they have ever sounded.. small enclosure, bass jacked all the way up on the amp.